Signed Edo-Period Japanese Tanto with Kanmuri-Otoshi Blade

9.75" nagasa. 16.25" overall. Hira-zukuri blade with single hole nakago that is signed with long mei to one side and partially highlighted with chalk. The first two characters of mei appear to translate to "Bizen/Bishu" or "Sakushu," and the last two characters appear to translate to "Kiyomitsu." Blade has lots of activity and features kanmuri-otoshi, hakikake or yakizume boshi, ihori mune, itame-mokume hada, and midare-notare hamon with nie. Aikuchi koshirae includes a copper habaki, tsuka with black ito, white same, matching horse menukis, and old iron or shakudo fuchi-kashira. Saya appears to be black lacquered rayskin with iron or shakudo fittings, kozuka slot, and a gold/yellow sageo cord.

This lot is located in Cincinnati.

Very good. Blade has good state with few light scratches and grain openings overall. Koshirae is in good condition, with some denting and losses to finish on fittings.

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